British destroy 17 Iraqi tanks

The Evening Standard ^ | March 31, 2003 | Hugh Dougherty

[MadIvan]

British troops using light artillery and hand-held missile launchers have destroyed 17 Iraqi tanks in the latest skirmish in the battle for Basra.

The Iraqi armoured column, accompanied by more than 400 soldiers and five artillery guns, was moving towards the city when it was attacked by British soldiers and planes.

Using 105mm guns, mortars and anti-tank missiles, as well as calling for air support, they knocked out the whole column and " severely depleted" the two infantry companies, taking many prisoners.

The operation, just north of the Rumaila oilfields, took place late last night under cover of darkness after the Iraqi forces were spotted by members of 16 Air Assault Brigade.

The unit, made up of paratroopers and infantry regiments, has taken control of the Rumaila oilfields and is now providing key cover preventing Iraqi forces approaching Basra from the north, as well as helping guard supply lines leading to the American front. The 17 Iraqi T55 tanks are the latest to be destroyed by British forces.

"After the engagement, the units confirmed that 17 T55s were destroyed, as well as five artillery pieces," said a senior British military source.

"Two companies of infantry were severely depleted, and a number of enemy prisoners of war taken."

Group Captain Al Lockwood, spokesman for British forces in the Gulf, said: "Around Basra, it is fairly secure,and we have obviously set up aid stations where people can obtain food.

"The civilian population in Basra is becoming more confident, they are talking to us." The officer later told BBC News 24 that the action - part of a mission codenamed Operation James - had been successful, leading to the destruction of a large number of Iraqi tanks and equipment and the taking of 30 prisoners of war.

Asked whether the British would be using selective raids on Basra, he said it was just one in their "arsenal of tactics".

"We will use whatever we need to liberate that city of Basra," the officer told the programme.

"Uppermost in our mind are the 1.3 million civilians who live here. We need to take them and their safety into account.

"It's very much a careful operation and we'll take as much time as required to make sure that the city of Basra is liberated for the people of Basra."

He confirmed that some "significant" military figures were captured during the operation but said he could not go into details.

[MadIvan]

Saddam, what part of "you're done", did you not understand?

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[goldstategop]

Of course, its a quaqmire and we need to high-tail it out of there and stampede for the exits! ;-)

[FreePaul]

The Iraqi military are finding that a lot of their tanks are only good for intimidating unarmed civilians. When they go up against a modern military unit they don't have a chance.

[Straight Vermonter]

T-55s? Why didn't they just ride in on a Sherman?

[Beck_isright]

Sadly I do not think he'll be "done" until we drag the dead bodies of the entire Iraqi leadership out into the streets of Baghdad for everyone to see.

V

[Reb Raider]

The British are doing a great job and a dangerous one of going house to house in Basrah. How do you feel the general mood of the British public is right now regarding the war? Are they being supportive of Blair's decision even though I know the BBC is doing their best to slant towards anti war sentiment? My life changed, no joke, when we started getting FOX News a couple of years ago. I am so much calmer and not throwing things at the tv anymore. Do you have a tv news station that is fair at showing both sides of this debate?

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Another smart salute is due the lads from the U.K. The Brits are doing a fine job with "regime change" in Iraq.

[Forceful1]

As far as I know the vast majority of the UK people are fully supportive of the troops. Around 60% in the last poll supported Blair. I'mm 100% behind both of the above.

I dont find the BBC too bad. I want to hear broadbased reporting and from several sources. Sky has the same ultimate owner as Fox and is their broadcasting affiliate, so might be more "positive" in reporting progress.

[Reb Raider]

Thanks for letting me know that. I knew they would support their troops no matter what their pre war feelings were. I am so glad some of the political pressure is off of Blair and truly believe that when they get in all the underground tunnels after the war and people start talking there will be even more support for his wisdom in not waiting for the U.N. to get their act together.

I worry about after the war from the standpoint of the U.N. involvement in rebuilding and helping set up an interim govt. They mess up most of what they get invovled in plus I absolutely don't want France or Russia to make one penny off the blood of our soldiers that were brutilized and executed. I will just keep praying that God has a way around their involvement because I am not clear on how PM Blair can get backing for not using the U.N. Oh well, one problem at a time! :)

[steve in DC]

Saddam, what part of "you're done", did you not understand?

All of it!

This war it the "Weekend at Bernies" of all battles. Saddam is dead, but no one in his upper eschelon is willing to let the party end.

[Forceful1]

Hi,

You said: I am not clear on how PM Blair can get backing for not using the U.N.

I am not sure either. He has made references in Parliament where he has been careful not guarantee UN led recovery, but has undertaken that there should be UN "involvement". I personally think there has to be some UN invovlement, but within and under a Coalition administered state. The end objective should not leave the US appearing to the rest of the arab world (including France and Germany)to be in an apparent Colonial role. But, as you say, one problem at a time.

Cheers,
F1

[Mr. Lucky]

Because Shermans are maneuverable?

[LS]

Is anyone keeping a running tally of these destroyed tanks and vehicles? Just the other day we took out another 15-20 near al-Nasariyah. At some point, they do run out.

[The Louiswu]

t-55

[Tokhtamish]

The T-55 is a cheap, obsolete tank that the Iraqis doled out aplenty to their infantry divisions during the Iraq-Iran war to stiffen them up. They fulfilled the same role as the WW2 assault gun or tank destroyer.

Basra is reeling. Sending reinforcements in such a desparate fashion was primarily to stiffen the will of the garrison to hold out. I suspect the garrison is going wobbly.

[Interesting Times]

Bogged down. Quagmire. Failed plan.

Right.

[el_texicano]

Saddam is toast, I mean, as in dead...he had the privilege of finding how a tomahawk suppository feels.

What they are fighting is the rest of the leadership that knows they will swing at the end of a rope if captured. That and the fanatical "special" RG are causing all this to drag out.

[Sunnyvale CA Eng.]

There's gonna be a lot of "slightly used" T55's on Ebay when this is all over.

[Clean_Sweep]

"Sadly I do not think he'll be "done" until we drag the dead bodies of the entire Iraqi leadership out into the streets of Baghdad for everyone to see."

Soon enough it will happen.